Surah Maryam

Ta'awwudh · Seeking Refuge

أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ

A'udhu billahi min ash-shaytani ar-rajim. I seek refuge in Allah from Satan, the accursed.

The Name · Bismillah

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

Bismillahi ar-Rahmani ar-Rahim. In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

✦

The Surah · Maryam

﴾١﴿ كٓهيعٓصٓ

Kaaaf-Haa-Yaa-'Ayyyn-Saaad

Kaf Ha Ya Ayn Sad.

﴾٢﴿ ذِكْرُ رَحْمَتِ رَبِّكَ عَبْدَهُۥ زَكَرِيَّآ

Zikru rahmati Rabbika 'abdahoo Zakariyya

A mention of the mercy of your Lord to His servant Zakariyya,

﴾٣﴿ إِذْ نَادَىٰ رَبَّهُۥ نِدَآءً خَفِيًّۭا

Iz naadaa Rabbahoo nidaaa'an khafiyyaa

when he called upon his Lord with a hidden call.

﴾٤﴿ قَالَ رَبِّ إِنِّى وَهَنَ ٱلْعَظْمُ مِنِّى وَٱشْتَعَلَ ٱلرَّأْسُ شَيْبًۭا وَلَمْ أَكُنۢ بِدُعَآئِكَ رَبِّ شَقِيًّۭا

Qaala Rabbi innee wahanal'azmu minnee washta'alar raasu shaibanw wa lam akum bidu'aaa'ika Rabbi shaqiyyaa

He said, "My Lord, my bones have weakened and my head has flared with grey, and I have never been unanswered in my prayer to You, my Lord.

﴾٥﴿ وَإِنِّى خِفْتُ ٱلْمَوَٰلِىَ مِن وَرَآءِى وَكَانَتِ ٱمْرَأَتِى عَاقِرًۭا فَهَبْ لِى مِن لَّدُنكَ وَلِيًّۭا

Wa innee khiftul mawaa liya minw waraaa'ee wa kaana tim ra atee 'aairan fahab lee mil ladunka waliyyaa

And I fear the successors after me, and my wife has been barren. So grant me from Yourself an heir,

﴾٦﴿ يَرِثُنِى وَيَرِثُ مِنْ ءَالِ يَعْقُوبَ ۖ وَٱجْعَلْهُ رَبِّ رَضِيًّۭا

Yarisunee wa yarisu min aali Ya'qoob, waj'alhu Rabbi radiyya

who will inherit from me and inherit from the family of Yaqub, and make him, my Lord, pleasing."

﴾٧﴿ يَٰزَكَرِيَّآ إِنَّا نُبَشِّرُكَ بِغُلَٰمٍ ٱسْمُهُۥ يَحْيَىٰ لَمْ نَجْعَل لَّهُۥ مِن قَبْلُ سَمِيًّۭا

Yaa Zakariyyaaa innaa nubashshiruka bighulaami nismuhoo Yahyaa lam naj'al lahoo min qablu samiyyaa

"Zakariyya, We give you good news of a boy whose name is Yahya. We have not given that name to anyone before."

﴾٨﴿ قَالَ رَبِّ أَنَّىٰ يَكُونُ لِى غُلَٰمٌۭ وَكَانَتِ ٱمْرَأَتِى عَاقِرًۭا وَقَدْ بَلَغْتُ مِنَ ٱلْكِبَرِ عِتِيًّۭا

Qaala Rabbi annaa yakoonu lee ghulaamunw wa kaanatim ra atee aaqiranw wa qad balaghtu minal kibari 'itiyyaa

He said, "My Lord, how will I have a boy, when my wife has been barren and I have reached extreme old age?"

﴾٩﴿ قَالَ كَذَٰلِكَ قَالَ رَبُّكَ هُوَ عَلَىَّ هَيِّنٌۭ وَقَدْ خَلَقْتُكَ مِن قَبْلُ وَلَمْ تَكُ شَيْـًۭٔا

Qaala kazaalika qaala Rabbuka huwa 'alaiya haiyinunw wa qad khalaqtuka min qablu wa lam taku shai'aa

He said, "So it will be. Your Lord says, it is easy for Me, and I created you before, when you were nothing."

﴾١٠﴿ قَالَ رَبِّ ٱجْعَل لِّىٓ ءَايَةًۭ ۚ قَالَ ءَايَتُكَ أَلَّا تُكَلِّمَ ٱلنَّاسَ ثَلَٰثَ لَيَالٍۢ سَوِيًّۭا

Qaala Rabbij 'al leee Aayah; qaala Aayatuka allaa tukalliman naasa salaasa layaalin sawiyyaa

He said, "My Lord, appoint a sign for me." He said, "Your sign is that you will not speak to people for three nights, though sound."

﴾١١﴿ فَخَرَجَ عَلَىٰ قَوْمِهِۦ مِنَ ٱلْمِحْرَابِ فَأَوْحَىٰٓ إِلَيْهِمْ أَن سَبِّحُوا۟ بُكْرَةًۭ وَعَشِيًّۭا

Fakharaja 'alaa qawmihee minal mihraabi fa-awhaaa ilaihim an sabbihoo bukratanw wa 'ashiyyaa

So he came out to his people from the prayer chamber and signaled to them: glorify Him morning and evening.

﴾١٢﴿ يَٰيَحْيَىٰ خُذِ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ بِقُوَّةٍۢ ۖ وَءَاتَيْنَٰهُ ٱلْحُكْمَ صَبِيًّۭا

Yaa Yahyaa khuzil Kitaaba biquwwatinw wa aatainaahul hukma saiyyaa

"Yahya, take the Book with strength." And We gave him judgment while still a boy,

﴾١٣﴿ وَحَنَانًۭا مِّن لَّدُنَّا وَزَكَوٰةًۭ ۖ وَكَانَ تَقِيًّۭا

Wa hanaanam mil ladunnaa wa zakaatanw wa kaana taqiyyaa

and tenderness from Us, and purity. And he was mindful of Allah,

﴾١٤﴿ وَبَرًّۢا بِوَٰلِدَيْهِ وَلَمْ يَكُن جَبَّارًا عَصِيًّۭا

Wa barram biwaalidayhi wa lam yakum jabbaaran 'asiyyaa

and dutiful to his parents, and he was not a tyrant or disobedient.

﴾١٥﴿ وَسَلَٰمٌ عَلَيْهِ يَوْمَ وُلِدَ وَيَوْمَ يَمُوتُ وَيَوْمَ يُبْعَثُ حَيًّۭا

Wa salaamun 'alaihi yawma wulida wa yawma yamootu wa yawma yub'asu haiyaa

Peace upon him the day he was born, the day he dies, and the day he is raised alive.

﴾١٦﴿ وَٱذْكُرْ فِى ٱلْكِتَٰبِ مَرْيَمَ إِذِ ٱنتَبَذَتْ مِنْ أَهْلِهَا مَكَانًۭا شَرْقِيًّۭا

Wazkur fil Kitaabi Marya; izin tabazat min ahlihaa makaanan shariqyyaa

And mention in the Book Maryam, when she withdrew from her family to a place toward the east,

﴾١٧﴿ فَٱتَّخَذَتْ مِن دُونِهِمْ حِجَابًۭا فَأَرْسَلْنَآ إِلَيْهَا رُوحَنَا فَتَمَثَّلَ لَهَا بَشَرًۭا سَوِيًّۭا

Fattakhazat min doonihim hijaaban fa arsalnaaa ilaihaa roohanaa fatamassala lahaa basharan sawiyyaa

and took a screen away from them. Then We sent to her Our spirit, and he appeared to her as a well-formed man.

﴾١٨﴿ قَالَتْ إِنِّىٓ أَعُوذُ بِٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ مِنكَ إِن كُنتَ تَقِيًّۭا

Qaalat inneee a'oozu bir Rahmaani minka in kunta taqiyyaa

She said, "I seek refuge in the Most Gracious from you, if you are mindful of Him."

﴾١٩﴿ قَالَ إِنَّمَآ أَنَا۠ رَسُولُ رَبِّكِ لِأَهَبَ لَكِ غُلَٰمًۭا زَكِيًّۭا

Qaala innamaa ana rasoolu Rabbiki li ahaba laki ghulaaman zakiyyaa

He said, "I am only a messenger of your Lord, to grant you a pure boy."

﴾٢٠﴿ قَالَتْ أَنَّىٰ يَكُونُ لِى غُلَٰمٌۭ وَلَمْ يَمْسَسْنِى بَشَرٌۭ وَلَمْ أَكُ بَغِيًّۭا

Qaalat anna yakoonu lee ghulaamunw wa lam yamsasnee bashrunw wa lam aku baghiyyaa

She said, "How will I have a boy, when no man has touched me and I have not been unchaste?"

﴾٢١﴿ قَالَ كَذَٰلِكِ قَالَ رَبُّكِ هُوَ عَلَىَّ هَيِّنٌۭ ۖ وَلِنَجْعَلَهُۥٓ ءَايَةًۭ لِّلنَّاسِ وَرَحْمَةًۭ مِّنَّا ۚ وَكَانَ أَمْرًۭا مَّقْضِيًّۭا

Qaala kazaaliki qaala Rabbuki huwa 'alaiya yaiyimunw wa linaj 'alahooo Aayatal linnaasi wa rahmatam minnaa; wa kaana amram maqdiyyaa

He said, "So it will be. Your Lord says, it is easy for Me, and We will make him a sign for people and a mercy from Us. It is a matter already decreed."

﴾٢٢﴿ ۞ فَحَمَلَتْهُ فَٱنتَبَذَتْ بِهِۦ مَكَانًۭا قَصِيًّۭا

Fahamalat hu fantabazat bihee makaanan qasiyyaa

So she conceived him, and she withdrew with him to a distant place.

﴾٢٣﴿ فَأَجَآءَهَا ٱلْمَخَاضُ إِلَىٰ جِذْعِ ٱلنَّخْلَةِ قَالَتْ يَٰلَيْتَنِى مِتُّ قَبْلَ هَٰذَا وَكُنتُ نَسْيًۭا مَّنسِيًّۭا

Fa ajaaa 'ahal makhaadu ilaa jiz'in nakhlati qaalat yaa laitanee mittu qabla haazaa wa kuntu nasyam mansiyyaa

The pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a palm tree. She said, "I wish I had died before this, and had been forgotten, out of sight."

﴾٢٤﴿ فَنَادَىٰهَا مِن تَحْتِهَآ أَلَّا تَحْزَنِى قَدْ جَعَلَ رَبُّكِ تَحْتَكِ سَرِيًّۭا

Fanaadaahaa min tahtihaan allaa tahzanee qad ja'ala Rabbuki tahtaki sariyyaa

Then he called to her from beneath her, "Do not grieve. Your Lord has placed a stream beneath you.

﴾٢٥﴿ وَهُزِّىٓ إِلَيْكِ بِجِذْعِ ٱلنَّخْلَةِ تُسَٰقِطْ عَلَيْكِ رُطَبًۭا جَنِيًّۭا

Wa huzzeee ilaiki bijiz 'in nakhlati tusaaqit 'alaiki rutaban janiyyaa

And shake the trunk of the palm tree toward you. It will drop ripe dates upon you.

﴾٢٦﴿ فَكُلِى وَٱشْرَبِى وَقَرِّى عَيْنًۭا ۖ فَإِمَّا تَرَيِنَّ مِنَ ٱلْبَشَرِ أَحَدًۭا فَقُولِىٓ إِنِّى نَذَرْتُ لِلرَّحْمَٰنِ صَوْمًۭا فَلَنْ أُكَلِّمَ ٱلْيَوْمَ إِنسِيًّۭا

Fakulee washrabee wa qarree 'ainaa; fa immaa tarayinnna minal bashari ahadan faqooleee innee nazartu lir Rahmaani sawman falan ukallimal yawma insiyyaa

So eat and drink and be comforted. And if you see any person, say, I have vowed a fast to the Most Gracious, so I will not speak to any human today."

﴾٢٧﴿ فَأَتَتْ بِهِۦ قَوْمَهَا تَحْمِلُهُۥ ۖ قَالُوا۟ يَٰمَرْيَمُ لَقَدْ جِئْتِ شَيْـًۭٔا فَرِيًّۭا

Fa atat bihee qawmahaa tahmiluhoo qaaloo yaa Maryamoo laqad ji'ti shai'an fariyyaa

Then she came to her people, carrying him. They said, "Maryam, you have done a strange thing.

﴾٢٨﴿ يَٰٓأُخْتَ هَٰرُونَ مَا كَانَ أَبُوكِ ٱمْرَأَ سَوْءٍۢ وَمَا كَانَتْ أُمُّكِ بَغِيًّۭا

Yaaa ukkhta Haaroona maa kaana abokim ra-a saw'inw wa maa kaanat ummuki baghiyyaa

Sister of Harun, your father was not a man of evil, and your mother was not unchaste."

﴾٢٩﴿ فَأَشَارَتْ إِلَيْهِ ۖ قَالُوا۟ كَيْفَ نُكَلِّمُ مَن كَانَ فِى ٱلْمَهْدِ صَبِيًّۭا

Fa ashaarat ilaih; qaaloo kaifa nukallimu man kaana fil mahdi sabiyyaa

So she pointed to him. They said, "How can we speak to one who is a child in the cradle?"

﴾٣٠﴿ قَالَ إِنِّى عَبْدُ ٱللَّهِ ءَاتَىٰنِىَ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ وَجَعَلَنِى نَبِيًّۭا

Qaala innee 'abdullaahi aataaniyal Kitaaba wa ja'alanee Nabiyyaa

He said, "I am a servant of Allah. He has given me the Book and made me a prophet.

﴾٣١﴿ وَجَعَلَنِى مُبَارَكًا أَيْنَ مَا كُنتُ وَأَوْصَٰنِى بِٱلصَّلَوٰةِ وَٱلزَّكَوٰةِ مَا دُمْتُ حَيًّۭا

Wa ja'alanee mubaarakan aina maa kuntu wa awsaanee bis Salaati waz Zakaati maa dumtu haiyaa

And He has made me blessed wherever I am, and instructed me in the prayer and the zakat as long as I live,

﴾٣٢﴿ وَبَرًّۢا بِوَٰلِدَتِى وَلَمْ يَجْعَلْنِى جَبَّارًۭا شَقِيًّۭا

Wa barram biwaalidatee wa lam yaj'alnee jabbaaran shaqiyyaa

and dutiful to my mother. And He has not made me a tyrant or wretched.

﴾٣٣﴿ وَٱلسَّلَٰمُ عَلَىَّ يَوْمَ وُلِدتُّ وَيَوْمَ أَمُوتُ وَيَوْمَ أُبْعَثُ حَيًّۭا

Wassalaamu 'alaiya yawma wulittu wa yawma amootu wa yawma ub'asu baiyaa

And peace upon me the day I was born, the day I die, and the day I am raised alive."

﴾٣٤﴿ ذَٰلِكَ عِيسَى ٱبْنُ مَرْيَمَ ۚ قَوْلَ ٱلْحَقِّ ٱلَّذِى فِيهِ يَمْتَرُونَ

Zaalika 'Eesab-nu Marya; qawlal haqqil lazee feehi yamtaroon

That is Isa the son of Maryam, the word of truth about which they are in doubt.

﴾٣٥﴿ مَا كَانَ لِلَّهِ أَن يَتَّخِذَ مِن وَلَدٍۢ ۖ سُبْحَٰنَهُۥٓ ۚ إِذَا قَضَىٰٓ أَمْرًۭا فَإِنَّمَا يَقُولُ لَهُۥ كُن فَيَكُونُ

Maa kaana lillaahi ai yattakhiza minw waladin Subhaanah; izaa qadaaa amran fa innamaa yaqoolu lahoo kun fa yakoon

It is not for Allah to take a son. Glory to Him. When He decrees a matter, He only says to it, "Be," and it is.

﴾٣٦﴿ وَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ رَبِّى وَرَبُّكُمْ فَٱعْبُدُوهُ ۚ هَٰذَا صِرَٰطٌۭ مُّسْتَقِيمٌۭ

Wa innal laaha Rabbee wa Rabbukum fa'budooh; haazaa Siraatum Mustaqeem

And Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him. This is a straight path.

﴾٣٧﴿ فَٱخْتَلَفَ ٱلْأَحْزَابُ مِنۢ بَيْنِهِمْ ۖ فَوَيْلٌۭ لِّلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ مِن مَّشْهَدِ يَوْمٍ عَظِيمٍ

Fakhtalafal ahzaabu mim bainihim fawailul lillazeena kafaroo mim mashhadi Yawmin 'azeem

But the factions differed among themselves. So woe to those who disbelieved from the scene of a great Day.

﴾٣٨﴿ أَسْمِعْ بِهِمْ وَأَبْصِرْ يَوْمَ يَأْتُونَنَا ۖ لَٰكِنِ ٱلظَّٰلِمُونَ ٱلْيَوْمَ فِى ضَلَٰلٍۢ مُّبِينٍۢ

Asmi' bihim wa absir Yawma yaatoonanaa laakiniz zaalimoonal yawma fee dalaalim mubeen

How well they will hear and see on the Day they come to Us. But the wrongdoers today are in clear error.

﴾٣٩﴿ وَأَنذِرْهُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْحَسْرَةِ إِذْ قُضِىَ ٱلْأَمْرُ وَهُمْ فِى غَفْلَةٍۢ وَهُمْ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ

Wa anzirhum Yawmal hasrati iz qudiyal amr; wa hum fee ghaflatinw wa hum laa yu'minoon

And warn them of the Day of Regret, when the matter is decided, while they are in heedlessness and do not believe.

﴾٤٠﴿ إِنَّا نَحْنُ نَرِثُ ٱلْأَرْضَ وَمَنْ عَلَيْهَا وَإِلَيْنَا يُرْجَعُونَ

Innaa NNahnu narisul arda wa man 'alaihaa wa ilainaa yurja'oon

We will inherit the earth and whoever is on it, and to Us they will be returned.

﴾٤١﴿ وَٱذْكُرْ فِى ٱلْكِتَٰبِ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ صِدِّيقًۭا نَّبِيًّا

Wazkur fil Kitaabi Ibraaheem; innahoo kaana siddeeqan Nabiyyaa

And mention in the Book Ibrahim. He was a man of truth, a prophet,

﴾٤٢﴿ إِذْ قَالَ لِأَبِيهِ يَٰٓأَبَتِ لِمَ تَعْبُدُ مَا لَا يَسْمَعُ وَلَا يُبْصِرُ وَلَا يُغْنِى عَنكَ شَيْـًۭٔا

Iz qaala li abeehi yaaa abati lima ta'budu maa laa yasma'u wa laa yubsiru wa laa yughnee 'anka shai'aa

when he said to his father, "My father, why do you worship what does not hear, does not see, and does not benefit you at all?

﴾٤٣﴿ يَٰٓأَبَتِ إِنِّى قَدْ جَآءَنِى مِنَ ٱلْعِلْمِ مَا لَمْ يَأْتِكَ فَٱتَّبِعْنِىٓ أَهْدِكَ صِرَٰطًۭا سَوِيًّۭا

Yaaa abati innee qad jaaa'anee minal 'ilmi maa lam yaatika fattabi'neee ahdika siraatan Sawiyyaa

My father, knowledge has come to me that has not come to you, so follow me. I will guide you to an even path.

﴾٤٤﴿ يَٰٓأَبَتِ لَا تَعْبُدِ ٱلشَّيْطَٰنَ ۖ إِنَّ ٱلشَّيْطَٰنَ كَانَ لِلرَّحْمَٰنِ عَصِيًّۭا

Yaaa abati laa ta'budish Shaitaana innash Shaitaana kaana lir Rahmaani 'asiyyaa

My father, do not serve Satan. Satan has been disobedient to the Most Gracious.

﴾٤٥﴿ يَٰٓأَبَتِ إِنِّىٓ أَخَافُ أَن يَمَسَّكَ عَذَابٌۭ مِّنَ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ فَتَكُونَ لِلشَّيْطَٰنِ وَلِيًّۭا

Yaaa abati innee akhaafu ai yamssaka 'azaabum minar Rahmaani fatakoona lish Shaitaani waliyyaa

My father, I fear that a punishment from the Most Gracious will touch you, and you will become a companion of Satan."

﴾٤٦﴿ قَالَ أَرَاغِبٌ أَنتَ عَنْ ءَالِهَتِى يَٰٓإِبْرَٰهِيمُ ۖ لَئِن لَّمْ تَنتَهِ لَأَرْجُمَنَّكَ ۖ وَٱهْجُرْنِى مَلِيًّۭا

Qaala araaghibun anta 'an aalihatee yaaa Ibraaheemu la 'il lam tantahi la arjumannaka wahjumee maliyyaa

He said, "Are you turning away from my gods, Ibrahim? If you do not stop, I will stone you. Keep away from me for a long time."

﴾٤٧﴿ قَالَ سَلَٰمٌ عَلَيْكَ ۖ سَأَسْتَغْفِرُ لَكَ رَبِّىٓ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ بِى حَفِيًّۭا

Qaala salaamun 'alaika sa astaghfiru laka Rabbeee innahoo kaana bee hafiyyaa

He said, "Peace upon you. I will ask my Lord to forgive you. He has always been gracious to me.

﴾٤٨﴿ وَأَعْتَزِلُكُمْ وَمَا تَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ وَأَدْعُوا۟ رَبِّى عَسَىٰٓ أَلَّآ أَكُونَ بِدُعَآءِ رَبِّى شَقِيًّۭا

Wa a'tazilukum wa maa tad'oona min doonil laahi wa ad'o Rabbee 'asaaa allaaa akoona bidu'aaa'i Rabbee shaqiyyaa

And I will withdraw from you and from what you call upon besides Allah, and I will call upon my Lord. Perhaps I will not be unhappy in calling upon my Lord."

﴾٤٩﴿ فَلَمَّا ٱعْتَزَلَهُمْ وَمَا يَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ وَهَبْنَا لَهُۥٓ إِسْحَٰقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ ۖ وَكُلًّۭا جَعَلْنَا نَبِيًّۭا

Falamma' tazalahum wa maa ya'budoona min doonil laahi wahabnaa lahoo is-haaqa wa ya'qoob, wa kullan ja'alnaa Nabiyyaa

So when he withdrew from them and from what they worshipped besides Allah, We granted him Ishaq and Yaqub, and each of them We made a prophet.

﴾٥٠﴿ وَوَهَبْنَا لَهُم مِّن رَّحْمَتِنَا وَجَعَلْنَا لَهُمْ لِسَانَ صِدْقٍ عَلِيًّۭا

Wa wahabnaa lahum mirrahmatinaa wa ja'alnaa lahum lisaana sidqin 'aliyyaa

And We granted them from Our mercy, and We gave them a high and truthful tongue.

﴾٥١﴿ وَٱذْكُرْ فِى ٱلْكِتَٰبِ مُوسَىٰٓ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ مُخْلَصًۭا وَكَانَ رَسُولًۭا نَّبِيًّۭا

Wazkur fil Kitaabi Moosaaa; innahoo kaana mukhlasanw wa kaana Rasoolan Nabiyyaa

And mention in the Book Musa. He was chosen for sincerity, and he was a messenger, a prophet.

﴾٥٢﴿ وَنَٰدَيْنَٰهُ مِن جَانِبِ ٱلطُّورِ ٱلْأَيْمَنِ وَقَرَّبْنَٰهُ نَجِيًّۭا

Wa naadainaahu min jaanibit Tooril aimani wa qarrabnaahu najiyyaa

We called him from the right side of the mount, and We brought him near, speaking in confidence.

﴾٥٣﴿ وَوَهَبْنَا لَهُۥ مِن رَّحْمَتِنَآ أَخَاهُ هَٰرُونَ نَبِيًّۭا

Wa wahabnaa lahoo mir rahmatinaaa akhaahu Haaroona Nabiyyaa

And We granted him from Our mercy his brother Harun, a prophet.

﴾٥٤﴿ وَٱذْكُرْ فِى ٱلْكِتَٰبِ إِسْمَٰعِيلَ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ صَادِقَ ٱلْوَعْدِ وَكَانَ رَسُولًۭا نَّبِيًّۭا

Wazkur fil Kitaabi ismaa'eel; innahoo kaana saadiqal wa'di wa kaana Rasoolan Nabiyyaa

And mention in the Book Isma'il. He was true to his promise, and he was a messenger, a prophet.

﴾٥٥﴿ وَكَانَ يَأْمُرُ أَهْلَهُۥ بِٱلصَّلَوٰةِ وَٱلزَّكَوٰةِ وَكَانَ عِندَ رَبِّهِۦ مَرْضِيًّۭا

Wa kaana yaamuru ahlahoo bis Salaati waz zakaati wa kaana 'inda Rabbihee mardiyyaa

He used to instruct his family in the prayer and the zakat, and he was pleasing to his Lord.

﴾٥٦﴿ وَٱذْكُرْ فِى ٱلْكِتَٰبِ إِدْرِيسَ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ صِدِّيقًۭا نَّبِيًّۭا

Wazkur fil Kitaabi Idrees; innahoo kaana siddeeqan Nabiyyaa

And mention in the Book Idris. He was a man of truth, a prophet.

﴾٥٧﴿ وَرَفَعْنَٰهُ مَكَانًا عَلِيًّا

Wa rafa'naahu makaanan 'aliyyaa

And We raised him to a high place.

﴾٥٨﴿ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَنْعَمَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْهِم مِّنَ ٱلنَّبِيِّۦنَ مِن ذُرِّيَّةِ ءَادَمَ وَمِمَّنْ حَمَلْنَا مَعَ نُوحٍۢ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّةِ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ وَإِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ وَمِمَّنْ هَدَيْنَا وَٱجْتَبَيْنَآ ۚ إِذَا تُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِمْ ءَايَٰتُ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ خَرُّوا۟ سُجَّدًۭا وَبُكِيًّۭا ۩

Ulaaa'ikal lazeena an'amal laahu 'alaihim minan Nabiyyeena min zurriyyati Aadama wa mimman hamalnaa ma'a Noohinw wa min zurriyyati Ibraaheema wa Israaa'eela wa mimman hadainaa wajta bainaaa; izaa tutlaa 'alaihim Aayaatur Rahmaani kharroo sujjadanw wa bukiyyaa

Those are the ones Allah favored among the prophets, from the descendants of Adam, and from those We carried with Nuh, and from the descendants of Ibrahim and Israel, and from those We guided and chose. When the verses of the Most Gracious were recited to them, they fell down prostrating and weeping.

✦

﴾٥٩﴿ ۞ فَخَلَفَ مِنۢ بَعْدِهِمْ خَلْفٌ أَضَاعُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَٱتَّبَعُوا۟ ٱلشَّهَوَٰتِ ۖ فَسَوْفَ يَلْقَوْنَ غَيًّا

Fakhalafa mim ba'dihim khalfun adaa'us Salaata wattaba'ush shahawaati fasawfa yalqawna ghaiyaa

Then successors came after them who abandoned the prayer and followed desires. They will meet ruin,

﴾٦٠﴿ إِلَّا مَن تَابَ وَءَامَنَ وَعَمِلَ صَٰلِحًۭا فَأُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ يَدْخُلُونَ ٱلْجَنَّةَ وَلَا يُظْلَمُونَ شَيْـًۭٔا

Illaa man taaba wa aamana wa 'amila saalihan fa ulaaa'ika yadkhuloonal jannata wa laa yuzlamoona shai'aa

except one who repents, believes and does righteous work. Those will enter the Garden and will not be wronged in anything,

﴾٦١﴿ جَنَّٰتِ عَدْنٍ ٱلَّتِى وَعَدَ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنُ عِبَادَهُۥ بِٱلْغَيْبِ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ وَعْدُهُۥ مَأْتِيًّۭا

Jannaati 'adninil latee wa'adar Rahmaanu ibaadahoo bilghaib; innahoo kaana wa'duhoo maatiyyaa

gardens of perpetual residence, which the Most Gracious promised His servants in the unseen. His promise has always been coming.

﴾٦٢﴿ لَّا يَسْمَعُونَ فِيهَا لَغْوًا إِلَّا سَلَٰمًۭا ۖ وَلَهُمْ رِزْقُهُمْ فِيهَا بُكْرَةًۭ وَعَشِيًّۭا

Laa yasma'oona feehaa laghwan illaa salaamaa; wa lahum rizquhum feehaa bukratanw wa 'ashiyyaa

They will hear no idle talk in it, only peace. And they will have their provision in it, morning and evening.

﴾٦٣﴿ تِلْكَ ٱلْجَنَّةُ ٱلَّتِى نُورِثُ مِنْ عِبَادِنَا مَن كَانَ تَقِيًّۭا

Tilkal jannatul latee oorisu min 'ibaadinaa man kaana taqiyyaa

That is the Garden We give as inheritance to those of Our servants who were mindful of Allah.

﴾٦٤﴿ وَمَا نَتَنَزَّلُ إِلَّا بِأَمْرِ رَبِّكَ ۖ لَهُۥ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِينَا وَمَا خَلْفَنَا وَمَا بَيْنَ ذَٰلِكَ ۚ وَمَا كَانَ رَبُّكَ نَسِيًّۭا

Wa maa natanazzalu illaa bi amri Rabbika lahoo maa baina aideenaa wa maa khalfanaa wa maa baina zaalik; wa maa kaana Rabbuka nasiyyaa

And we do not descend except by the command of your Lord. To Him belongs what is before us, what is behind us, and what is between that. And your Lord is not forgetful,

﴾٦٥﴿ رَّبُّ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا فَٱعْبُدْهُ وَٱصْطَبِرْ لِعِبَٰدَتِهِۦ ۚ هَلْ تَعْلَمُ لَهُۥ سَمِيًّۭا

Rabbus samaawaati wal ardi wa maa bainahumaa fa'bud hu wastabir li'ibaadatih; hal ta'lamu lahoo samiyyaa

Lord of the heavens and the earth and what is between them. So worship Him, and be steadfast in His worship. Do you know of any equal to Him?

﴾٦٦﴿ وَيَقُولُ ٱلْإِنسَٰنُ أَءِذَا مَا مِتُّ لَسَوْفَ أُخْرَجُ حَيًّا

Wa yaqoolul insaanu 'aizaa maa mittu lasawfa ukhraju haiyaa

And the human being says, "When I am dead, will I be brought out alive?"

﴾٦٧﴿ أَوَلَا يَذْكُرُ ٱلْإِنسَٰنُ أَنَّا خَلَقْنَٰهُ مِن قَبْلُ وَلَمْ يَكُ شَيْـًۭٔا

Awalaa yazkurul insaanu annaa khalaqnaahu min qablu wa lam yaku shai'aa

Does the human being not remember that We created him before, when he was nothing?

﴾٦٨﴿ فَوَرَبِّكَ لَنَحْشُرَنَّهُمْ وَٱلشَّيَٰطِينَ ثُمَّ لَنُحْضِرَنَّهُمْ حَوْلَ جَهَنَّمَ جِثِيًّۭا

Fawa Rabbika lanahshu rannahum wash shayaateena summa lanuhdirannahum hawla jahannama jisiyyaa

By your Lord, We will gather them and the devils, then We will bring them around Hell on their knees.

﴾٦٩﴿ ثُمَّ لَنَنزِعَنَّ مِن كُلِّ شِيعَةٍ أَيُّهُمْ أَشَدُّ عَلَى ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ عِتِيًّۭا

Summa lananzi 'anna min kulli shee'atin aiyuhum ashaddu 'alar Rahmaani 'itiyyaa

Then We will pull out from every group the one most severe against the Most Gracious in rebellion.

﴾٧٠﴿ ثُمَّ لَنَحْنُ أَعْلَمُ بِٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ أَوْلَىٰ بِهَا صِلِيًّۭا

Summa lanahnu a'lamu billazeena hum awlaa bihaa siliyyaa

Then We are most knowing of those most deserving to burn in it.

﴾٧١﴿ وَإِن مِّنكُمْ إِلَّا وَارِدُهَا ۚ كَانَ عَلَىٰ رَبِّكَ حَتْمًۭا مَّقْضِيًّۭا

Wa im minkum illaa waa riduhaa; kaana 'alaa Rabbika hatmam maqdiyyaa

And there is none of you but will come to it. That is upon your Lord a decree already settled.

﴾٧٢﴿ ثُمَّ نُنَجِّى ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّقَوا۟ وَّنَذَرُ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ فِيهَا جِثِيًّۭا

Summa nunajjil lazeenat taqaw wa nazaruz zaalimeena feehaa jisiyyaa

Then We will save those who were mindful, and leave the wrongdoers in it on their knees.

﴾٧٣﴿ وَإِذَا تُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِمْ ءَايَٰتُنَا بَيِّنَٰتٍۢ قَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ لِلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ أَىُّ ٱلْفَرِيقَيْنِ خَيْرٌۭ مَّقَامًۭا وَأَحْسَنُ نَدِيًّۭا

Wa izaa tutlaa 'alaihim Aayaatunaa baiyinaatin qaalal lazeena kafaroo lillazeena aamanooo aiyul fareeqaini khairum maqaamanw wa ahsanu nadiyyaa

And when Our clear verses are recited to them, those who disbelieve say to those who believe, "Which of the two groups is better in position, and finer in assembly?"

﴾٧٤﴿ وَكَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا قَبْلَهُم مِّن قَرْنٍ هُمْ أَحْسَنُ أَثَٰثًۭا وَرِءْيًۭا

Wa kam ahlaknaa qablahum min qarnin hum ahsanu asaasanw wa ri'yaa

And how many generations before them did We destroy who were better in possessions and appearance.

﴾٧٥﴿ قُلْ مَن كَانَ فِى ٱلضَّلَٰلَةِ فَلْيَمْدُدْ لَهُ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنُ مَدًّا ۚ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا رَأَوْا۟ مَا يُوعَدُونَ إِمَّا ٱلْعَذَابَ وَإِمَّا ٱلسَّاعَةَ فَسَيَعْلَمُونَ مَنْ هُوَ شَرٌّۭ مَّكَانًۭا وَأَضْعَفُ جُندًۭا

Qul man kaana fidda laalati falyamdud lahur Rahmaanu maddaa; hattaaa izaa ra aw maa yoo'adoona immal 'azaaba wa immas Saa'ata fasa ya'lamoona man huwa sharrum makaananw wa ad'afu jundaa

Say, "Whoever is in error, the Most Gracious extends his term, until, when they see what they were promised, either the punishment or the Hour, they will know who is worse in position and weaker in force."

﴾٧٦﴿ وَيَزِيدُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱهْتَدَوْا۟ هُدًۭى ۗ وَٱلْبَٰقِيَٰتُ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتُ خَيْرٌ عِندَ رَبِّكَ ثَوَابًۭا وَخَيْرٌۭ مَّرَدًّا

Wa yazeedul laahul lazeenah tadaw hudaa; wal baaqiyaatus saalihaatu khairun 'inda Rabbika sawaabanw wa khairum maraddaa

And Allah increases in guidance those who are guided. And the lasting good deeds are better with your Lord in reward and better in return.

﴾٧٧﴿ أَفَرَءَيْتَ ٱلَّذِى كَفَرَ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَا وَقَالَ لَأُوتَيَنَّ مَالًۭا وَوَلَدًا

Afara'aytal lazee kafara bi Aayaatinaa wa qaala la oota yanna maalanw wa waladaa

Have you seen the one who disbelieved in Our verses and said, "I will surely be given wealth and children"?

﴾٧٨﴿ أَطَّلَعَ ٱلْغَيْبَ أَمِ ٱتَّخَذَ عِندَ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ عَهْدًۭا

Attala'al ghaiba amitta khaza'indar Rahmaani 'ahdaa

Has he looked into the unseen, or taken a covenant with the Most Gracious?

﴾٧٩﴿ كَلَّا ۚ سَنَكْتُبُ مَا يَقُولُ وَنَمُدُّ لَهُۥ مِنَ ٱلْعَذَابِ مَدًّۭا

Kallaa; sanaktubu maa yaqoolu wa namuddu lahoo minal 'azaabi maddaa

No. We will record what he says, and We will extend his punishment at length.

﴾٨٠﴿ وَنَرِثُهُۥ مَا يَقُولُ وَيَأْتِينَا فَرْدًۭا

Wa narisuhoo maa yaqoolu wa yaateenaa fardaa

And We will inherit from him what he speaks of, and he will come to Us alone.

﴾٨١﴿ وَٱتَّخَذُوا۟ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ ءَالِهَةًۭ لِّيَكُونُوا۟ لَهُمْ عِزًّۭا

Wattakhazoo min doonil laahi aalihatal liyakoonoo lahum 'izzaa

And they have taken gods besides Allah, so that they may be a source of honor for them.

﴾٨٢﴿ كَلَّا ۚ سَيَكْفُرُونَ بِعِبَادَتِهِمْ وَيَكُونُونَ عَلَيْهِمْ ضِدًّا

Kallaa; sa yakfuroona bi'ibaadatihim wa yakoonoona 'alaihim diddaa

No. They will reject their worship and will be against them.

﴾٨٣﴿ أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّآ أَرْسَلْنَا ٱلشَّيَٰطِينَ عَلَى ٱلْكَٰفِرِينَ تَؤُزُّهُمْ أَزًّۭا

Alam tara annaaa arsalnash Shayaateena 'alal kaafireena ta'uzzuhum azzaa

Do you not see that We sent the devils upon the disbelievers, inciting them with incitement?

﴾٨٤﴿ فَلَا تَعْجَلْ عَلَيْهِمْ ۖ إِنَّمَا نَعُدُّ لَهُمْ عَدًّۭا

Falaa ta'jal alaihim innamaa na 'uddu lahum 'addaa

So do not be in haste against them. We are only counting for them a count.

﴾٨٥﴿ يَوْمَ نَحْشُرُ ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ إِلَى ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ وَفْدًۭا

Yawma nahshurul muttaqeena ilar Rahmaani wafdaa

On the Day We gather those mindful of Allah to the Most Gracious as a delegation,

﴾٨٦﴿ وَنَسُوقُ ٱلْمُجْرِمِينَ إِلَىٰ جَهَنَّمَ وِرْدًۭا

Wa nasooqul mujrimeena ilaa Jahannama wirdaa

and We drive the criminals to Hell, thirsty.

﴾٨٧﴿ لَّا يَمْلِكُونَ ٱلشَّفَٰعَةَ إِلَّا مَنِ ٱتَّخَذَ عِندَ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ عَهْدًۭا

Laa yamlikoonash shafaa'ta illaa manittakhaza 'indar Rahmaani 'ahdaa

They will hold no power of intercession, except one who has taken a covenant with the Most Gracious.

﴾٨٨﴿ وَقَالُوا۟ ٱتَّخَذَ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنُ وَلَدًۭا

Wa qaalut takhazar Rahmaanu waladaa

And they said, "The Most Gracious has taken a son."

﴾٨٩﴿ لَّقَدْ جِئْتُمْ شَيْـًٔا إِدًّۭا

Laqad ji'tum shai'an iddaa

You have brought forth a monstrous thing.

﴾٩٠﴿ تَكَادُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتُ يَتَفَطَّرْنَ مِنْهُ وَتَنشَقُّ ٱلْأَرْضُ وَتَخِرُّ ٱلْجِبَالُ هَدًّا

Takaadus samaawaatu yatafattarna minhu wa tanshaq qul ardu wa takhirrul jibaalu haddaa

The heavens almost split apart from it, the earth almost splits open, and the mountains almost collapse in ruin,

﴾٩١﴿ أَن دَعَوْا۟ لِلرَّحْمَٰنِ وَلَدًۭا

An da'aw lir Rahmaani waladaa

that they attribute a son to the Most Gracious.

﴾٩٢﴿ وَمَا يَنۢبَغِى لِلرَّحْمَٰنِ أَن يَتَّخِذَ وَلَدًا

Wa maa yambaghee lir Rahmaani ai yattakhiza waladaa

It is not fitting for the Most Gracious to take a son.

﴾٩٣﴿ إِن كُلُّ مَن فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ إِلَّآ ءَاتِى ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ عَبْدًۭا

In kullu man fis samaawaati wal ardi illaaa aatir Rahmaani 'abdaa

There is none in the heavens and the earth but comes to the Most Gracious as a servant.

﴾٩٤﴿ لَّقَدْ أَحْصَىٰهُمْ وَعَدَّهُمْ عَدًّۭا

Laqad ahsaahum wa addahum 'addaa

He has enumerated them and counted them precisely.

﴾٩٥﴿ وَكُلُّهُمْ ءَاتِيهِ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ فَرْدًا

Wa kulluhum aateehi Yawmal Qiyaamati fardaa

And each of them will come to Him on the Day of Resurrection alone.

﴾٩٦﴿ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ سَيَجْعَلُ لَهُمُ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنُ وُدًّۭا

Innal lazeena aamanoo wa 'amilus saalihaati sa yaj'alu lahumur Rahmaanu wuddaa

Those who believe and do righteous deeds, the Most Gracious will appoint love for them.

﴾٩٧﴿ فَإِنَّمَا يَسَّرْنَٰهُ بِلِسَانِكَ لِتُبَشِّرَ بِهِ ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ وَتُنذِرَ بِهِۦ قَوْمًۭا لُّدًّۭا

Fa innamaa yassarnaahu bilisaanika litubashshira bihil muttaqeena wa tunzira bihee qawmal luddaa

We have made it easy in your tongue, so that you may give good news with it to those mindful of Allah, and warn with it a people given to dispute.

﴾٩٨﴿ وَكَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا قَبْلَهُم مِّن قَرْنٍ هَلْ تُحِسُّ مِنْهُم مِّنْ أَحَدٍ أَوْ تَسْمَعُ لَهُمْ رِكْزًۢا

Wa kam ahlaknaa qabla hum min qarnin hal tuhissu minhum min ahadin aw tasma'u lahum rikzaa

And how many generations before them We destroyed. Do you perceive a single one of them, or hear from them the faintest sound?

The Tafsir · The Breakdown

What The Surah Means

Overview

The Surah That Was Recited in a Foreign Court

Maryam opens by naming what it is. A mention of the mercy of your Lord. Not His power or His judgment. Its accounts are all of people at the point of having nothing: an old man whose bones have weakened, a woman alone under a tree wishing she had died, a son standing against his own father. The name of the Most Gracious runs through it more than any other surah. Ahmad records in his Musnad that when the Muslims who had fled to Abyssinia were brought before the Negus and asked what they had, Ja'far ibn Abi Talib recited the opening of this surah, and the king wept. It was chosen for that room deliberately, and reading it makes the reason obvious.

Verses 1 to 15

A Hidden Call

Verse 3 describes how Zakariyya prayed before it describes what he prayed for. He called upon his Lord with a hidden call. Nidaan khafiyya, quiet, unwitnessed. The surah records the manner because the manner is part of the lesson. Verse 4 is the prayer of an honest old man. My bones have weakened and my head has flared with grey. He does not pretend to strength. Then, in the same verse, the ground he stands on: I have never been unanswered in my prayer to You, my Lord. He cites his own history with Allah as the basis for asking again, which is a man reasoning from a relationship rather than from his own merit. Verse 5 and verse 6 give the request, and note what he asks for in the heir. Not that he be strong or successful. Make him, my Lord, pleasing. Radiyya. Verse 7 answers with a name no one had ever carried. Verse 8 is his own disbelief, stated out loud, and the answer in verse 9 does not scold him. It is easy for Me, and I created you before, when you were nothing. The argument used to settle him is his own existence. Verse 12 gives the instruction handed to the son. Yahya, take the Book with strength. Bi quwwa, with force, with grip. And verses 13 and 14 list what he was given and what he was kept from, in one sentence each: tenderness, purity, mindfulness, dutifulness to parents, and not a tyrant, not disobedient. A complete man described in twenty words.

Verses 16 to 40

Beneath the Palm Tree

Verse 18 is the first thing Maryam says, and it is the reflex of someone whose worship is not situational. I seek refuge in the Most Gracious from you, if you are mindful of Him. She appeals to the taqwa of the stranger in front of her, which is the highest thing she could appeal to. Verse 23 is one of the most human lines in the Book, and it is spoken by one of the most honored women who ever lived. I wish I had died before this, and had been forgotten, out of sight. The Book preserves it without softening it. A person can be chosen, carrying a miracle, and still say that sentence, and the saying of it is not counted against her. Verses 24 through 26 are the answer, and every part of it is worth noticing. First, do not grieve. Then, a stream is already beneath her, provided before she asked. Then, shake the trunk of the palm tree toward you. A woman in the middle of labor is told to shake a date palm. No one in that condition can move a palm trunk, and the dates were going to fall regardless. She is given an action to perform anyway, and the action is not proportional to the result. That is the shape of most provision. The effort is required and it is not the cause. Verse 26 then tells her to say nothing at all. Say, I have vowed a fast to the Most Gracious. She walks into the accusation in verse 27 and verse 28 without defending herself, and verse 29 is what she does instead: she pointed to him. The defense was never going to be her words. Verse 30 is the first sentence out of her son's mouth, and the order in it settles the whole later dispute. I am a servant of Allah. Servant first, before Book, before prophethood. Verse 31 gives the phrase worth carrying: He has made me blessed wherever I am. Not blessed in a place. Blessed as a property that travels. Verse 35 closes the matter in the shortest form available. When He decrees a matter, He only says to it, "Be," and it is.

Verses 41 to 65

My Father

Ibrahim addresses his father four times, in verses 42, 43, 44 and 45, and every one of them opens with the same two words. Ya abati. My father. He is telling a man that his life's devotion is worthless, and he never once drops the term of respect. Read the four in order and notice the structure. First the argument, which is about the object: it does not hear, does not see, and does not benefit you. Then the credential, offered without arrogance: knowledge has come to me that has not come to you, so follow me. Then the warning about the real party involved: do not serve Satan. Then the concern, which is the only reason he is speaking at all: I fear that a punishment will touch you. Verse 46 is the reply, and it is a threat of stoning from his own father. Verse 47 is what Ibrahim says back. Peace upon you. I will ask my Lord to forgive you. He leaves without a single word of retaliation and takes his father's forgiveness with him as an ongoing obligation. Verse 48 gives the decision. I will withdraw from you and from what you call upon besides Allah. And verse 49 gives what came of the withdrawal: Ishaq and Yaqub, and prophethood in the line. He left a household and was given a lineage. Verse 54 names Isma'il by a single quality, and it is not the one most men would pick. He was true to his promise. Verse 55 adds what he did with his own house: he used to instruct his family in the prayer and the zakat. Verse 58 then describes what the whole company of them did when the verses were recited: they fell down prostrating and weeping. Verse 59 is the sentence that should stop a reader, because it describes the very next generation. Then successors came after them who abandoned the prayer and followed desires. Two failures, named in that order, and the second follows the first. Verse 64 is the angels speaking, and it ends with four words worth keeping: your Lord is not forgetful. Verse 65 then gives the instruction. So worship Him, and be steadfast in His worship. Wastabir li'ibadatih, endure in it, which assumes it will require endurance.

Verses 66 to 98

Love Appointed

Verse 73 records the argument the comfortable always make, and it is not about the truth. Which of the two groups is better in position, and finer in assembly? Better rooms, better company. Verse 74 answers it by pointing at people who had more of both and are gone. Verse 76 gives the standard that replaces it. The lasting good deeds are better with your Lord in reward and better in return. Al-baqiyat as-salihat, the things that remain. Verses 77 through 80 give the portrait of a man planning on a future he has no claim to. He said, "I will surely be given wealth and children." Verse 78 asks two questions that cover every possible basis for that confidence. Has he looked into the unseen, or taken a covenant with the Most Gracious? Either he has seen the future or he has a contract, and he has neither. Then verse 80, and this is the line to sit with. We will inherit from him what he speaks of, and he will come to Us alone. Everything he was counting stays behind, and the arrival is singular. Verse 81 names why men take other gods in the first place: so that they may be a source of honor for them. Izzah, the same thing Fatir 10 says belongs entirely to Allah. Verse 84 gives an instruction for anyone watching the wrong people prosper. So do not be in haste against them. We are only counting for them a count. Verse 93 states the position everyone will hold. There is none in the heavens and the earth but comes to the Most Gracious as a servant. And verse 96 is where the surah lands, after all of it. Those who believe and do righteous deeds, the Most Gracious will appoint love for them. Sayaj'alu lahumu ar-Rahmanu wudda. Not that they will be loved by Him alone, though that is included. Love is placed, appointed, put into the world on their behalf. The old man who prayed quietly, the woman who was accused, and the son who left his father are all answered by that one line.

The Structure · At A Glance

Ninety-Eight Verses. The Most Gracious Will Appoint Love for Them.

The surah announces itself as a mention of mercy and then shows it working on people who had nothing left. An old man prays quietly and reasons from a lifetime of being answered. A woman alone under a tree says she wishes she had died, and is told not to grieve, given a stream already running beneath her, and asked to shake a palm trunk she cannot move. A son speaks first as a servant. Ibrahim tells his father the truth four times and never drops the word father, and leaves with a promise to seek forgiveness for him. Then the surah warns about the generation that abandoned the prayer, exposes the man planning on wealth he has no contract for, and closes by saying that love itself will be appointed for those who believe and work.

The Practice · Daily Integration

Ninety-Eight Verses. The Most Gracious Will Appoint Love for Them.

Verse 3. Make one request this week the way Zakariyya did. Quietly, alone, with nobody knowing you asked.

Verse 25. Name the palm trunk in front of you, the effort that seems too small to produce the result. Shake it anyway.

Verses 42 to 47. If you have a hard conversation owed to someone above you in age or authority, hold the respect all the way through it, and end it the way Ibrahim did.

آمِين

Prepared with discipline · Ameen

Verse-By-Verse · Test Yourself

The Quiz

Two questions per verse. Translation and a key Arabic word. Walk through it slow. The goal is comprehension, not speed.

Verse 31 / 12

The Verse

How does verse 3 describe the way Zakariyya called upon his Lord?